iOS 18 to Add More Secure Messaging, But Questions Remain on Full Privacy
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iOS 18 will add RCS messaging to iPhones, allowing more secure communication between iPhones and Android phones.
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However, RCS itself does not provide end-to-end encryption like iMessage and Google Messages. So communication will be more secure but not fully private.
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Apple could collaborate with Google to add end-to-end encryption between their messaging apps, but there is no indication this will happen with the iOS 18 launch.
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The DOJ lawsuit against Apple may push them to open up iMessage more to improve encryption and interoperability.
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For full privacy, the recommendation is still to use apps like WhatsApp or Signal rather than rely on SMS/RCS even after the iOS 18 update.